Designated 27 March 1949 Phone +44 1205 363108 | Reference no. 486475 | |
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Address Spain Ln, Boston PE21 6HP, UK Similar St Botolph's Church - B, Boston Guildhall, Gokewell Priory, Kyme Priory, Maud Foster Windmill | ||
Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre is a theatre and community centre situated in Spain Lane, Boston, Lincolnshire, England. The building is a remaining part of a mediaeval friary.
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Building
Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centree is Grade II* listed. The two-storey building was the refectory of a Dominican friary that was "heavily restored and altered" in 1963 when an eastern gable was rebuilt with casement windows added. The interior retains a 17th-century staircase, although not in its original position. Pevsner describes the building as a 90 feet (27 m) long "Friars Hall", running on an east to west axis with its upper floor previously the refectory. At the Suppression of the Monasteries material from the Friary was used to repair sea walls.
Blackfriars Friary was formed some time during the 13th Century. The first written record is from 1288 when it was noted that the friary had been rebuilt after being destroyed by fire. In 1300 the friary housed a total of 29 friars. The surviving building was converted into a theatre in 1965.
Blackfriars is said to be haunted by a friar, who hides sharp objects left by theatregoers under the stage.
Use
The Centre's first professional director was appointed in 1980, and today a theatre manager is assisted by box office, administration, front of house and bar volunteers. It comprises a theatre with a 230-seat auditorium, a foyer gallery, a revue bar, and an art studio.
In its heyday the arts centre provided art classes, including night classes in still life, life drawing, screen printing, needlework and photography. It included various residences and numerous outreach workers throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Groups which used the arts centre included the Boston Playgoers, Wyberton Theatrical Society, Boston Operatic, Strolling Players, Boston Youth Theatre (later adopted by Blackfriars as its own BYTe), Boston Jazz Club, Boston Folk Club, Boston Children's Theatre, and a Saturday dance class. Some still use the Centre occasionally for performance and events. Recent performances have included tribute acts and community-led theatre.
The building hosts occasional exhibitions, performances, workshops, classes and activities, art exhibitions, including that by Craig Kerrecoe, and talks by public figures, including Ann Widdecombe. It runs a children's theatre festival during school holidays.
In December 2011 Coronation Street's Brue Jones performed at the Centre as Captain Hook and Mr Darling in the pantomime, Peter Pan
Stump Radio was established at the centre with help from Spalding's Tulip Radio, and broadcast during July and August 2006, and in 2007. The station is now Endeavour FM, presenting news, music and community events through local presenters.